Contribution of Nuclear Applications to Food Security in a Changing Climate

22 February 2022 • 
Briefs and Factsheets, Peaceful Uses, Publications
A new fact sheet by VCDNP highlights the contribution of peaceful nuclear applications to agriculture in a changing climate.
Share this:

The agriculture sector is vital to ending global hunger, however climate change is increasingly affecting agriculture production as rising temperatures and extreme weather events impact negatively on the productivity of crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture. The changing climate also influences the emergence and re-emergence of insect pests that transmit diseases and impact on human and animal health.  Peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology enable climate-smart agriculture practices that build resilience in food security systems by improving outputs and mitigating the impact of climate change, thereby helping countries to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Drawing on a panel discussion on this topic organized by the VCDNP, the fact sheet focuses on two climate-smart nuclear techniques that are commonly applied using radioactive sources, namely plant mutation breeding and the sterile insect technique. Security and transport concerns related to these sources are making them more expensive and increasingly inaccessible. The fact sheet highlights some of the measures that can be taken to ensure continued and expanded use of these applications especially by low-and middle-income countries.

Read the fact sheet


Related Experts

Ingrid Kirsten
Senior Fellow

Related Content

The Sustainable Use of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material for Peaceful Purposes

12 April 2019 • 
On 21 March 2019, the VCDNP organised a panel discussion on the the sustainable use of nuclear and other radioactive material for peaceful purposes.
Read more

The Future of Food: Globalising Access to Innovative Technologies

25 June 2024 • 
The VCDNP organised a panel during the IAEA International Symposium on Food Safety and Control to highlight the support provided by IAEA collaborating centres and the potential of machine-based radiation to improve access to the benefits of radiation for health, food safety and food security in developing countries.
Read more
1 2 3 21
cross
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram